Wireless service card having machine readable codes and device and process for use therewith
AssigneeTracFone Wireless, Inc.
InventorTheodore Vagelos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for authorizing wireless service includes providing a generally rectangular flat form factor card having a first surface and opposing second surface. The process further includes providing a machine-readable activation code arranged on the first surface, wherein the machine-readable activation code is configured to authorize the wireless service when provided to a system associated with a wireless service provider, receiving the machine-readable activation code in a server, the machine-readable activation code being captured by a wireless device, and provisioning the wireless service to the wireless device from a wireless network when the machine-readable activation code is provided to the system associated with the wireless network.
Claims19
A process comprising:
- providing an application executable on a wireless device, the application being configured to control the wireless device to obtain an activation code, the activation code being configured to authorize wireless service, wherein the activation code is configured to represent a prepaid amount of the wireless service;
- receiving the activation code along with information identifying the wireless device;
- provisioning the prepaid amount to the wireless device from a wireless network based on provision of the information and the activation code to a wireless service provider system associated with the wireless network;
- determining an amount of the prepaid amount used by the wireless device with an accounting device;
- and
- controlling a use of the wireless service based on the determined amount.
A wireless device, comprising:
- a camera configured to capture an activation code, wherein the activation code is configured to authorize a wireless service, wherein the activation code is configured to represent a prepaid amount of the wireless service;
- a processor configured to execute an application, the application being executable by the processor and configured to perform the capture;
- the processor further configured to receive the activation code along with information identifying the wireless device;
- the processor further configured to provide the prepaid amount from a wireless network based on provision of the information and the activation code to a wireless service provider system associated with the wireless network,
- wherein an amount of the prepaid amount is determined to be used by the wireless device with an accounting device, and
- wherein a use of the wireless service is controlled based on the determined amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.